Tomb of Bibi Dokhtaran

🕰️When was it built?

The tomb's history goes back to the Ilkhanid era, but the building was damaged in an earthquake and rebuilt. The present building dates from the Zand era, and Mohammad Qoli Khan Ilkhani was among those who repaired and renewed it. It was added to the National Heritage List on 12 July 1968 as number 422.

🏛️What was it built for?

The shrine was a place of pilgrimage, and a cemetery once lay around it. The tomb attributed to Umm Abdollah is in the basement, and the grave of Abdollah Mobarak is in the northern corner outside the shrine. In the courtyard, a pool and flower beds shape the space in front of the building.

👀What you will see

• The tomb's tall dome and the basement of the building, where the burial chamber lies.
• The square pool in front of the building and two flower beds in the corners of the courtyard, which shape the grounds.
• A dado of Gandomak stone inside the shrine, covering the wall up to about 1.5 metres.
• The wooden cover over the tomb, about 4 metres long and 1.5 metres wide.
• Old carved gravestones reused in the dados and steps.

💡Something interesting

In an old belief held by some people, young women tied a cloth or thread at this shrine in the hope of finding a husband and having their wishes granted, and then fulfilled their vow. This was a local custom and belief that became linked with the name Bibi Dokhtaran, the Lady of the Girls.

🎒Good to know before you go